The Players Manchester United Must Sell This Summer

The Players Manchester United Must Sell This Summer

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Jon Super

Manchester United finally sacked manager David Moyes on Tuesday, bringing an end to his ill-fated six-month spell at the Old Trafford helm.

It is no secret that Moyes failed at Old Trafford, but not all the blame can be planted at his feet. A number of the current players have let the club down this season and a mass exodus of playing staff could be on the cards.

The new manager, whoever it is, will be given a huge transfer kitty to help bolster the squad this summer. However, getting rid of the dead wood could prove to be just as challenging.

Here are the players who must be shown the exit door this summer:

Are there any obvious omissions from the list? Post your views in the comments box below.

Anders Lindegaard

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Scott Heppell

It wasn't that long ago that the Dane was offering genuine competition to David de Gea for the No. 1 jersey. However, the 30-year-old has made just one league appearance this season and must surely be on his way out this summer.

Lindegaard has voiced his displeasure at his lack of opportunities on several occasions but is unlikely to ever claim the gloves back from David de Gea—who has recovered from a turbulent first year at Old Trafford to become one of the Premier League's best goalkeepers.

Earlier this month, as per Gary Jones of the Daily Star, Lindegaard admitted his frustrations once more. While he would not confirm his wish to leave the club, his comments have only added further fuel to the speculation that he will be leaving.

Chris Smalling

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Even Sir Alex Ferguson was susceptible to making rash decisions. In hindsight, the great manager would probably concede that signing Chris Smalling was one of them.

Smalling joined from Fulham in 2010 and was widely regarded as one of the nation's most promising youngsters. However, his development at Old Trafford has not been to the standard that many expected.

Prior to joining Fulham, the defender played for Maidstone United. At times, those non-league roots are very evident from his basic errors and concentration lapses costing the Red Devils at key moments during his time with the club.

Smalling has been living in a dreamland for four years, but now it's time to wake up and realise he isn't of the calibre required by Manchester United or England.

Nemanja Vidic

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The Serbian has already confirmed his departure and, as per BBC Sport, will be joining Inter Milan this summer.

Vidic as been a terrific servant to the club during one of its most successful eras. The captain's level of performance may not be quite as sparkling as it was a few years ago, but his absence will be felt by the Red Devils.

However, his exit will allow for Phil Jones to finally nail down a permanent role in the heart of defence—which, in the long term, has to be a positive outcome.

Meanwhile, the experience of Ferdinand and Evra should compensate for the loss of Vidic's presence in the dressing room. The Serbian's departure probably comes at the right time for everybody involved.

Alex Buttner

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Chances may have been limited for the Dutchman, but there's enough evidence to suggest he isn't up to the very high standards required for a successful career at Old Trafford.

Buttner is generally considered as a player for the future, but the left-back is already 25 years old. With the likes of Southampton's 18-year-old Luke Shaw playing to a much higher level of performance, it's hard to see how Buttner can remain at the Red Devils.

Patrice Evra probably has another year or two left in his legs, but a long-term replacement will be high on the list of priorities for whoever is in charge next term.

Nani

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Looking back, it seems laughable that Nani was ever touted as the next Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese winger has failed to produce anything of note this season, and the majority of Red Devils fans have lost faith in the 27-year-old. He brought big promises that were never realised.

Nani came close to leaving in January and, according to Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star earlier this month, is being lined up as a makeweight as Manchester United prepare a bid for Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani.

The departure of Moyes could put an end to that proposed deal, but Nani will still be expected to leave.

Tom Cleverley

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Jon Super

You have to feel partly sorry for midfielder Tom Cleverley. The 24-year-old has been made somewhat of a scapegoat by unhappy Red Devils fans and some of the criticisms pointed in his direction are well over the top.

However, it does appear that he is some way short of the quality desired by a club as big as Manchester United.

The 24-year-old has been strongly linked with a summer departure and, as per James Ducker of the Times, Everton's Roberto Martinez could be ready to part with £8 million to land the England midfielder.

A fresh start could be exactly what Cleverley needs to reignite his career.

Marouane Fellaini

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Scott Heppell

David Moyes' marquee signing last summer has only been marginally less disappointing than the former manager.

Fellaini has looked lumbering for much of this season, making just a handful of senior starts. Unfortunately, he'll be forever linked with the ill-fated Moyes era, and for that reason alone, he simply has to go.

As per Goal's Tim Simon, Moyes famously paid £4 million more than he should have for Fellaini in a deadline-day panic buy last summer. The club's only choice is to cut their losses.

Ashley Young

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Diving into the left-wing position on this list is the ineffective Ashley Young.

The former Villa man made a promising start to life at Old Trafford but has rather lost his way over the past couple of seasons. This term, according to WhoScored, the 28-year-old has claimed just one assist—hardly the inspiring form you'd expect from an England international.

Confident wing play has been a major feature of Manchester Untied's game for decades. They need someone better than Young.

Shinji Kagawa

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Scott Heppell

Kagawa is probably the only player listed who does have the ability to succeed at Old Trafford.

His time at Dortmund proves that he is a talented footballer, but for some reason it just hasn't worked out for the Japan star in England.

The January addition of Juan Mata, who must be deployed in the central areas, means that Kagawa's future with the club appears to be untenable.

There is little doubt that the 25-year-old is capable of achieving big things with a new club. He may well be used as a makeweight in bringing in fresh talent.

Bebe

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According to Daniel Taylor of the Guardian, Manchester United forked out £7.4 million for the striker in 2010; even £400,000 would've been too much for the Portuguese flop.

In his defence, Bebe hasn't been given a fair crack of the Manchester United whip. On the other hand, there is good reason for that. He simply isn't of the standard required to succeed at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old has spent this season on loan at Pacos de Ferreira and has reached the 10-goal milestone for the first time in his career. A return to his homeland may be the best solution for everyone—as long as United are prepared to take a huge loss on the transfer fee.

Federico Macheda

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JON SUPER

"Kiko" Macheda famously burst onto the Old Trafford scene in dramatic style with two crucial goals in Manchester United's title-winning 2008/2009 campaign. Since then, though, the Italian has failed to deliver.

The 22-year-old has spent most of the last three years on loan at various clubs, enjoying varying levels of success. Most recently he has been at Birmingham City, where he's performed very well. However, it's not quite Manchester United.

According to Simone Bargellini of Sky Sports, the player concedes that his future probably lies away from Old Trafford. A summer departure is inevitable.

The Rest

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Ryan Giggs

The 40-year-old interim player-manager is a Manchester United legend, but he cannot keep going forever.

A superb individual display in the Champions League win over Olympiakos showed that the magic never quite dies, but it certainly has faded over recent years, and the club's most decorated player would only ever be used sparingly by the new boss.

Now may be the perfect time for him to move onto a coaching role.

Darren Fletcher

In his heyday, Fletcher was one of the most important cogs in the Manchester United machine. Unfortunately, ill health means that the Scotland international should now really consider hanging up his boots.

It will be hard for such a talented player to admit defeat this young, but there is no need for him to play in the depths of lower-league football. As per the Daily Star's Adrian Styles, Fletcher has already announced his desire to become a manager one day—perhaps he should concentrate on that career.